Michigan Struggles to Fund Cardiac Emergency Preparedness in Schools

State law requires schools to have cardiac emergency plans, but lacks dedicated funding to implement them.

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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Michigan passed a law in 2024 requiring schools to adopt cardiac emergency response plans, but the state failed to provide the necessary funding to implement the requirements. As a result, many schools in Michigan have yet to fully prepare for potential cardiac emergencies, leaving students and staff at risk. The law stipulates that schools only need to adopt the plans if the legislature appropriates "sufficient funds," but no dedicated funding was included in the state's education budget.

Why it matters

Sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death in youth, and quick access to CPR and automated external defibrillators (AEDs) can significantly improve survival rates. Without state funding to support training, equipment, and emergency drills, many Michigan schools are unable to fully implement the cardiac emergency response plans required by law, potentially putting students and staff at risk.

The details

The 2024 law required Michigan schools to adopt cardiac emergency response plans starting in the 2025-26 school year, but the legislature did not allocate any funding to support implementation. A Senate proposal to include $25 million for visitor management programs, behavior software, panic alerts, and AED devices was removed by the House and not included in the final budget. As a result, decisions to implement the emergency plans are left up to local school districts and their available resources. Most Michigan schools have not yet earned the state's 'HeartSafe' designation, which indicates they have a written cardiac emergency plan, trained staff, and conduct annual drills.

  • The 2024 law requiring cardiac emergency plans in Michigan schools was signed into law during the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit.
  • The law was set to take effect in the 2025-26 school year, but implementation has stalled due to lack of state funding.

The players

Gwen Fosse

Program coordinator for Project ADAM in Michigan, an initiative that works with schools to prepare for sudden cardiac emergencies.

Amanda Klein

Government relations director for the American Heart Association in Michigan, who says the emergency response requirements are tied to state funding that was not secured.

Emily Orta

A 26-year-old who experienced a cardiac emergency as a 14-year-old soccer player in Adrian, Michigan, and credits quick-acting coaches and access to an AED for saving her life.

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What they’re saying

“We had no idea that there was any issues.”

— Emily Orta

“I was at the right place at the right time. And everybody that was around me and had their hands on me that day, they were also in the right place at the right time.”

— Emily Orta

“The importance of having trained personnel in schools as well as AEDs in schools is critical in achieving much higher survival rates.”

— Dr. Premchand Anne, Director of Pediatric Cardiology, Henry Ford St. John Children's Hospital

What’s next

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The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.